My daughter is 5 months old and has plagiocephaly. The back of her head is flat but also it's flatter on one side due to Torticolis in the neck. Hers is considered moderate. She looks normal from the front, the ears are ever so slightly off, but from the back she's defintely flat and broad. We were considering doing the helmet. We went and had a consultation and they kind of scared me. My understanding is that her head was going to grow and that it could round out, but they said it was never going to round out unless we did the helmet.
So here's what I'd like to know....
Has anyone out there had a GIRL with lopsided plagiocephaly that chose NOT to do the helmet? If so, did your daughter's head ever round out? Or did it always stay flat? I'm worried about her being able to put her hair up when she's older. Also kids are mean to begin with, why give them fuel for the fire if we can fix it? However, something in my gut says to hold off on the helmet. I would just like to know if anyone out there opted out and their kid's head turned out ok???
She's getting ready to start PT for her neck and she's had 3 chiro treatments which have made significant improvement. She's even sleeping on the buldging side now.
Any advice??? .
I'D LIKE TO ADD....
That I wasn't asking for personal opinions on whether or not we SHOULD do the helmet. We WILL do the helmet if necessary. WHAT I WAS ASKING was whether or not anyone had a child who's head rounded out on it's own without the helmet. That's all I'm asking. I am very aware of how cruel people are and I would never do that to my daughter. All I was asking is whether or not there was another option, ie waiting to see if it rounds out, therapy etc. Way to NOT read the question and attack another mom who's just asking a question. Looks like everyone answered with there emotions rather than looking at the actual question that I am asking. I'd also like to add that Cranial Tech has a monopoly on helmets out here, they are sales people, yes they are helping kids, but the reality is that they WANT to sell a $4000 helmet that insurance doesn't cover and YES that scares me. The helmet and treatment itself does NOT scare me, being vulnerable and having someone aggressively sell something to me using my child as a sales tool scares me. Every parent wants the best for their children, but I'm sorry it's not prudent to jump on it when there may be another way. All I want to know is if anyone elses child's head rounded out on it's own. Please do not attack my parenting.
We did use cranial tech for my daughters helmet, or rather her "princess crown". It worked very well and turned out beautifully. She wore it for about 9 weeks. She is 17 months now and her head is rounding out more and more as she grows! I do not regret it one bit, so glad we did it!
My friend had it and didn't do the helmet. Yeah, her head is noticeably flat and she hates it.
It is much more common now a days due to the back to sleep campaign... which is good, aside from the one side effect.
Really, if it were my child, I'd do the helmet.
I'd do the helmet... it isn't invasive or dangerous, just irritating for a little while. If it'll correct the problem with no negative side effects, why not?
My daughter had this, while I was thinking about whether or not to proceed, my mother in law started massaging her head, I did it daily for a while and it rounded out eventually almost completely. She still has a slight flat spot, but it is hardly noticeable even when her hair is wet or she is wearing tight pig tails. Now, if she shaved her head for some reason, it would be more noticeable.
I feel for you. Especially she's a girl. If it were me (and I don't have a daughter with this issue or myself), I'd measure the pros and cons. If you do NOTHING, can SHE choose to fix it later? If she had funny ears and you wanted to do plastic surgery, id be like "hold up!" SHE can choose that later, but if this is not an option to fix later...then maybe, the helmet is a better idea now. Also I like that she doesn't have to undergo surgery to fix it. Perhaps consult another doctor and see if you get the same response. My fear would be that you do nothing now, she has an unusual shaped head and SHE can't fix it later. I read a story of a person doing plastic surgery for a 7 yr olds ear and I thought "woooo". But as a toddler, I had two lazy eyes and I am forever grateful that my parents did the surgery, with the best eye surgeon around when I was a wee lil one. Best of luck to you and yours...
same situation with us but we fixed it. we were shown a video of how her face would misalign as she grew older and it was scary. eyes, chin, cheeks, ears all that would have been out of place. wearing the helmet was no problem, it was shaved every 2 weeks to allow room for growth. it was the best thing i did for my little girl. her flat spot is gone thank god. so i don't know why you wouldn't do it.
I know a now-young-adult who never got the helmet as a baby. She still has a flat spot on the back of her head and the bone itself is even thinner there than the rest of the skull - as can be seen on MRI. When her hair is wet - like when she went swimming during her childhood - it was even more noticeable.
My vote is since you can fix this in such a benign way - do it.
My DD has the same issue... Hers was considereded 'moderate to severe' but it's only the back of her head. Hers was caused because when she was born, her clavacle broke. So she couldn't get ANY tummy-time or side-sleeping time for the first 4 weeks. She didn't even like to turn her head, so even if we were holding her, it was the back of her head taking the brunt of the weight. She is almost a year old now, and in the last couple of months I have noticed a lot of change. Her head has started rounding out on it's own! I think it helps that I 'massage' her scalp, and kind of 'pet' it putting a little more pressure on the wide, and no pressure on the flat spots. Her head isn't 'normal' yet, but I have noticed the difference. So have other people, based on the pictures they have seen of her. Even her pediatrician says that it's not nearly as bad as it was. I have also really pushed her to sleep on her side/stomach too, and keep the pressure off the flat spot.
Generally, you can fix her head with the helmet up until she turns 2 years (MAXIMUM) old. (that's when the head stops growing so fast) After that, it usually requires surgery. You could always do like we did, and give it a 'chance' to round out with the option of using the helmet later. The main downside to that though is that if she DOES need the helmet, she will have to wear it longer.
Our decision was made because of our finances. We just couldn't afford the expensive helmet, and all the office visits. When we recieved our tax return, we stashed away most of it so IF we decide she does need the helmet (if she stops improving, or isn't improved enough as we get closer to that 2 year mark...) we can afford to get it for her. If not, she has a decent start toward her college fund. :)
Good luck, whichever way you decide to go! :)
Hi Julie. I am a pediatric physical therapist and my daughter had alsmost the same situation. We did go to Cranial Tech and get the helmet. She is now 9 and my husband and I look at her all the time and say "we are so glad we did it." She just got her ears pierced and loves to show them off. Her eyes are very symmetrical. This can not be fixed after about 12-15 months and even though it is scary for the mom, the baby really does not care. Treatment takes less time the younger the baby. Also, our insurance initially would not pay for it, but I wrote appeal letters until they finally paid for it and I would be happy to share those appeal letters if that is helpful. I seems scary now but soon it will be a distant memory. Plus, I have a plaster mold of my daughter precious head that we still keep : ) Good luck.
Do the helmet. Better to fix it when it's fixable than wish you had fixed it when it's not.
My sister who was adopted had the same thing because her bio mother rarely picked her up and she laid flat on her back. She never had the helmet and she is now 12. The back of her head is still on the flat side. She is Asian, but not sure if that makes a difference. She can pull her long hair up, but I do see how her head shape is different than most. Personally, I would have my child in the helmet, since she is still so young. There seem to be a lot of babies wearing them. If you really are not sure, get another doctor's opinion.
I wish you the best with your decision.
I'd do the helmet. I see lots of kids with them. They can be pretty cute and i think a lot of people are aware now a days of why the kids are wearing them. Its not going to hurt her so i say go for it. Good luck
Our neighbor's little angel has it. The parents didn't believe in having bodies altered, so she was stuck with it and she never was corrected. She's now 14 and is forced into wearing her hair longer and curly, never pulled up even on the hottest days. I'd wear the helmet. It's such a simple thing to do compared to a lifetime of heartache :'(
Three out of four of my children had this. (The last one I was VERY careful with and put rolled-up towels behind her in her car seat and crib to make certain her head stayed in position!) My oldest girl is 5 and her head has a great, round shape now. My 2nd daughter is 4, and still has somewhat of a flat spot, though it has improved dramatically. Hers was a bit worse than my first, and my first was pretty good by 4, so hers may not get as round. You can't tell at all though, unless her hair is wet.
My son will be 3 in 2 weeks, and he still has somewhat of a flat spot too, though it has gotten lots better, and continues to improve. He was actually the only one that was referred for the helmet, but we chose not to do it.
It does not round up. You should get a helmet for your girl. My son has a mild flat spot on his head and it did not got better. Just because she is a girl you should do it. It worth the money.
Please do it. I would HATE my parents if they made me go through life that way!
I work with someone who is flat headed. It looks strange; very noticeable. Honestly, I would do the helmet.
I wanted to share a website with you. My daughter had craniosynostosis which required surgery, and I became involved with a websupport group - www.craniokids.org I don't have any advice for plagio, but there's a whole section on our website dedicated to kids with plagio that may give you the information you are looking for. At any rate, there's a great deal of support for people who have done helmet therapy that may help you with your decision. Good luck!
All I know is that when my cousin was an infant, he had an extremely flat head on one side due to lying on the same spot all the time. It did correct itself when he got older.
I don't know what causes plagiocephaly -- if it's from lying on the same spot it will probably fix itself.
I'm no doctor though, I'd probably wait a while and then do the helmet. How long are their heads flexible for? That would determine it for me.
please do it! This is a situation where you cannot allow your own personal fears to prevent you from providing the medical attention your daughter needs. You are her advocate, & you cannot let fear rule your world.
If you were on the receiving end of this....how would you feel?
If you were a school-age child with physcial differences which could have been fixed.....wouldn't you hate being teased by your friends & cruel kids on the playground? & this is a given....kids are mean.
A little bit of personality +......& physical differences goes a long way. That's what makes us individuals. BUT that flat head will follow her thru life & will ....probably haunt you, too!
Oh, & this just isn't from the "back to sleep" program! It's also from using swings, bounceys, etc!
As a mom I would have to think how will I answer my daughter when she will ask why I didn't get her the medical attention she needed when I had the knowledge and the means to help her. I can not begin to imagine considering not correcting this now when she will have no memory of it. She will however have memories of being made fun of if it doesn't self-correct (which is a very real possibility). Also, consider the fact that this isn't just about her skull. Her brain is inside. It needs the proper room for growth as well.
Our job as parents is to the the very best for our kids. Not sure why your gut is telling you to hold off. You are starting PT and taking her to the chiropractor to help her. Why wouldn't you complete her treatment with the helmet that's so easy, routine and non-invasive?
My daughter was born with a weakness on one side of her neck, therefore, she developed a flat spot on one side of her head. It was prominant until she was about one and a half/two years old. She is now 13 and has a perfectly round head....
AND...when my daughter was about 6 months she became a belly sleeper, which helped, too!
Hi J.,
We took our daughter in for a consultation when she was about 5 months old as well. We suspect her flat head was due to a daycare provider who we found out left her on the hardwood floor the majority of the day. :-/ We were SO upset, but decided it was better to be proactive and get her out of there asap! Initially, we took her to her regular pediatrician who told us it wasn’t too bad, but also referred us to a specialist to ease our concerns and answer our questions. The specialist took pictures of her head and advised us the helmet would indeed round out her head, but also reassured us that it was NOT absolutely necessary and that her face would not become disfigured or severely disproportioned. As parents, we were concerned specifically about her jaw alignment. (We read a lot of scary stories on the net.) However, after much deliberation and careful consideration, we decided NOT do the helmet. One of the main reasons why we elected not to do the helmet is because we were told by both her regular pediatrician and the specialist that the shape of her head would have no direct bearing on her brain or impede in anyway with her development. It was strictly cosmetic – in her case. I could not speak for any other child’s condition. Her head has never rounded out completely but it also is not as flat as it used to be. We immediately stopped most contact with the back of her head – which meant a lot of carrying, less car-seat rides, and sleepless nights taking turns keeping an eye on her to make sure she wasn’t lying directly on her flat spot. Our baby girl is 2yo now and has long hair down to her buttocks. I French braid her hair, do pigtails, ponytails, you name it…..the flatness is NOT at all noticeable; and she is developing as normal in all areas. :) We couldn’t be happier with our decision. Good luck with your decision! It’s a tough one but you know your baby best. …And remember, there will always be judgmental people in the world. Do what YOU feel is right for your baby girl; and trust that she will appreciate the decisions you made for her if you know in your heart you made the best decision possible.
I have a friend who's son had to wear the helmet. Her doctor had said that if it was a girl then he would not have recommended it, because girls tend to have long hair which would mask the flat head. But, he did say that the head would NOT round out on it's own.
I know nothing about this, really, but want to honor that you have some kind of gut reaction against this and the consultation scared you. I might suggest getting a second opinion. Go somewhere else and see if working with a different office might ease some of your concerns. What has the chiro said? Maybe talk to the PT, as well, for recommendations for others to see.
